Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-06-02
CAPT. WEATHERBYS GIFT.

his wife We're sitting in front of the
coal fire in the back parlor, waiting till
1t should be safe to leave, and seeing
many queer things in the glowing ash
os. The "help"-they do not keep SER
vants-had gone to bed. and the house
was shut up for the night. No one was
expected, and it was too late for callers,
SO there was mutual start of alarm
on the part of the pair when the door
bell rang in that sudden way.
Ting-a-ling- a-ling- a-ling-a-ling!
1t was quite ghostly. Mrs. Wealth
crby said:
Mercy me, who is there, do you sup
pose?"
Like as not it's a telegram, replied
the captain.
Then he went to the door. The wire
of that indigant bell was still vibrating,
and the tongue itself had just stopped
wagging, and yet when the captain
opened the door, not a soul was visible.
The soft, light flakes of the last snow of
the season drifted into his face, and fell
cold and wet on his cheeks. Mrs.
Weatherby was close behind, and ex-
claimed:
Mercy me! 1t was nobody"
Not even the cat" said her hus-
oand. "Old Prim can do a sight of
mischief. but she can't ring door-bells.
1t was some pesky boy, suppose, who
thought he'd play smart and then run
for ii"
What's that on the door-step?" ask
cd Mrs. Weatherby, suddenly.
Its drift" said the captain. al
tell you what, Mary, thcre'll be a
Nor'-easter to- night, nor least by nor,
with wind that'll make the sails rat
tie. It's gettin' up now and he drew
in his uncovered head, and was about
20 shut the hall door.
There is something down there, ST.
las" said his wife, Fright on the top
step. Looks just like big bundle
The captain peered out again.
Its right you are my hearty. Sure
as you live it's basket" and he touch
cd it with his foot.
''Oh, it's the groceries for to-mor-
row; that careless boy forgot them. No
wonder he ran away when he rang the
bell! Fetch 'em in, Slas, and leave
them in the back parlor tonight. Han
nah will see them the first thing in the
morning!'
Better take them into the caboosc-
! mean the kitchen" said the captain.
NO; it's locked up. Put 'cm on
that chair by the door. Ugh! I'm
shivcrn' with the cold air. and the
good woman sat down in front of the
comfortable Goals again.
'Wc've heap to be thankful for,
Mary" sad the captain thoughtfully.
''Y-c s, ls'pose So" sighed his wife;
she was thinking just then of two little
graves at MarElchcad. They had been
made nigh on to twenty years ago, and
the vacancy in her heart and life had
never been filled.
AT that moment queer little wailing
cry rang through the room. The two
started and looked at each other.
"Sakes alive! Why what was that?'
asked Mrs. Weatherby
at came out of that basket sad
the captain; "that fool of a boy has
been and slowed hand in the fo' cas-.
uc--I mean 4 kitten" and he stalked
over to it and ierkcd off the cover.
"By the great horn spoon" he ex-
claimed, as he jumped back about four
feet; it's 4 baby!'
Mercy men' said his wife; Where
did it come from?'
From the skies, should say: that's
what the bell rang for. Well, | must
say this is an imposition"
Mrs. Weatherby was looking curl
ously into the basket; all she saw was
rags, two bright smiling eyes, and
little round head covered with dark
hair-a wee bit of baby, deserted and
alone.
I'll go for the police" said the cap
tain angrily; ''shiver my t.mbers if
I'm going to have people starving their
babies on my doorstep when there's
places provided for them as are desti-
tutc. The pol ce vii make short work
OF it, Mary"
They won't kill it, will they?' ask
ed kind Mrs. Weatherbv in q Mortified
tone
well, No, wife; that's against the
law. But they'll take it where such
waves Che meant waifs) belong. If
you amt afraid to stay alone I'll ru n
out TO the next corner and fetch one. ,
When the captain returned with the
policeman he had to stop to explain the
exact spot where they found the basket,
cow the bell had rung. etc, and so it
was full hour or more before they got
INTO the back parlor. There Mrs.
Wcatherby sat with the object rolled up
in shawl, lying in her lap and bask-
ing contentedly in the rays of the fire.
Here we are" said the captain in a
brisk tone Now, Mr.. Policeman. you
can take the youngster off in the basket
ii come in can't you?"
"It's nice boy" said the policeman.
looking down on the tiny head basking
IN the freight.
Girl" corrected Mrs. Weatherby
81 tell you what, SIas. think haC
better keep the baby till mornin'. Il
don't Seem exactly Christian to let it g
out in the cold again tonight.
"That'N suit me-" said the police
man. 'It's good bit from here t.
sic Foundlin's, and it does seem a
home, sir"
Every foolish, very foolish, Mary
but have your own way; only don
fst me be disturbed with it's cryin'
Mats ALL" said the captain, as h
peepod over shyly and stole look a
The ''waye."
The next morning at ten o'clock tn
Iii ,,,o, IN hnnI 60, 81 - l.,